By AMBER PATINO
The Bonifay City Council met for its regular session on Monday, October 20, addressing several items of old and new business.
Following Mayor Larry Cook’s resignation from the Holmes County Tourist Development Council (TDC), council members voted to appoint Council Member Rick Crews to fill the vacant position.
The council also made a motion to approve pursuing Small County Outreach Program (SCOP) funding to pave East and West Brock Avenue in Bonifay. City Executive Assistant Sierra Smith cited the increased need for emergency services response in the area due to the high number of nearby nursing home facilities as the reason for the request.
In other business, the Holmes District School Board received approval to utilize the Bonifay Recreational Center for this year’s school Olympics. The annual event, which benefits special needs students who attend Holmes District Schools, is scheduled for Friday, November 14, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Smith also presented a grant award for the purchase of a DATAPILOT handheld field data acquisition device and forensic software to assist the Bonifay Police Department (BPD) in technology based and cybercrime investigations. The technology would allow officers to collect digital evidence onsite, eliminating the need to send devices to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). BPD Chief Johnny Whitaker referenced the recent arrest of Bonifay resident Leonard Miragliuolo, charged with solicitation of a minor after alleged online communication with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, as an example of a case where same-day data retrieval could be critical.
The grant will cover approximately 70% of the cost of the equipment and cost to train employees in its use, with the remaining $5,595 to be paid from the police department’s budget. The council approved both the acceptance of the grant and the use of department funds to cover the remaining balance.
Smith also announced the Employee of the Quarter as Captain Zachary Sellers of Bonifay Fire-Rescue for his service to the city and the fire department. Sellers, who was not present at the meeting due to welcoming a newborn daughter last week, was praised for his commitment to the City of Bonifay.
“He goes above and beyond, and we all recognize that,” said Smith.
During the meeting, Chief Whitaker also addressed the recent Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) officer-involved shooting that occurred on Monday, October 13.
“I want to make it perfectly clear to everyone in this room and on this council, I fully support the correctional officers that were there that night and the actions that were taken,” said Whitaker. “FDLE is investigating this and until their findings are published that’s as much as I am going to comment on it.”
Whitaker added that he spoke with FDLE earlier in the day and expects the investigation to be completed within the next week.
The next Bonifay City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 3, at 9:00 a.m.
Staff Report 
GARETT VALCOURT 